How to Prepare for a Spray Tan: The Complete Before and Aftercare Guide

Quick answer: To prepare for a spray tan, exfoliate gently around five days before your appointment, wax or shave 24 to 48 hours beforehand, and arrive with clean skin free from moisturiser, deodorant, perfume and make-up. Wear loose, dark clothing, and avoid showering or sweating until your tan has developed.

Spray tanning is one of the most popular ways to get a golden glow without exposing your skin to harmful UV rays, and that matters. A major review in the BMJ, reported by Cancer Research UK, found that people who first used sunbeds before the age of 35 were 59% more likely to develop melanoma, and estimated that sunbeds were responsible for more than 3,400 melanoma cases in a single year across the European countries studied. A spray tan gives you the colour with none of that UV damage.

Yet there are still plenty of myths about how it works. Many people think a spray tan is a dye that stains the skin, or that the colour they see straight after their appointment is the final result. That is why a tan that looks darker than expected at first can cause unnecessary panic. What actually happens beneath the surface is far more scientific, and far more fascinating, as you will see below. Get the preparation right and the results are beautiful.

Your spray tan preparation timeline

• Around five days before: exfoliate gently with a mild scrub or mitt, focusing on knees, elbows, ankles and feet. This clears older cells that are ready to shed, so your tan develops on an even layer. See our guide to body scrubs.
• One to two days before: wax or shave, so pores have time to settle. See our guide to waxing.
• On the day: shower without oils or heavy shower gels, and skip moisturiser, deodorant, perfume and make-up. Remove jewellery and tie your hair back.
• Before you arrive: allow time to cool down if you have been to the gym or had a hot shower, as heat and sweat affect how the tan sits on your skin.

What to wear and bring

• Loose, dark clothing and loose shoes or flip flops
• A bra or underwear you do not mind getting tan on, or use the disposable underwear your therapist provides
• A hair tie or headband

Avoid tight straps, waistbands and leather until after your first rinse.

What to expect at your appointment

Your therapist will start with a short consultation and consent form, checking for anything that means your tan should wait. You will be shown to a private, well ventilated area and offered disposable underwear, sticky feet and a hair cap.

Barrier cream is applied to drier areas such as knees, elbows, hands, feet and nails, so they do not take on too much colour. Your therapist will guide you through each position for an even result. The spray itself usually takes less than ten minutes. You will dry for a few minutes before dressing, and a slight tacky feel is normal.

Protecting your eyes, lips and breathing

The active ingredient in spray tan is approved for use on the skin, not the eyes, lips or inside the nose and mouth. A good therapist will ask you to close your eyes and lips during application, offer nose filters if you would like them, and make sure the room is well ventilated. You can also hold your breath as the mist passes your face.

The science behind your tan

The active ingredient in spray tan is dihydroxyacetone, known as DHA. It is a colourless sugar, often made from plant sources, which reacts with the amino acids in the outermost layer of your skin. This is the Maillard reaction, the same process that browns bread in the oven, and over several hours it creates a natural looking tan.

The colour only develops in that outer layer of dead skin cells, which is why a spray tan fades naturally as those cells shed. Exfoliating too close to your appointment, or too harshly, removes the very layer your tan develops on, which is why timing matters. Moisturising afterwards keeps that layer in good condition, so your colour lasts longer.

Guide colour or real tan?

Most professional solutions include a guide colour, a temporary bronzer that helps your therapist see where the product has gone. It usually looks darker than your final result. Your true tan develops over the following hours, and the guide colour washes away in your first shower.

Drier, thicker areas such as knees, elbows and ankles take up more DHA, which is why exfoliation and barrier cream help keep your colour even.

How long to leave it on

Classic solutions are usually left for around 8 to 12 hours before your first rinse, so many people tan in the evening and sleep in it. Rapid solutions develop while you go about your day and are rinsed after 1 to 4 hours, depending on how deep you want the colour. Your therapist will tell you exactly when to rinse.

Choosing the right shade

Every brand has its own undertone, from golden to olive. The depth depends on the percentage of DHA, which typically ranges from around 6% for a subtle glow to around 20% for a deep tan. Many clients find that 10 to 12% gives a natural, healthy colour. Extra layers deepen the colour, but only up to a point, so trust your therapist's advice.

Always book a trial tan before a wedding, photoshoot or big event, so you know the shade suits you.

When to wait before tanning

Spray tanning is safe for most people, but some situations mean it should wait. Your therapist will not go ahead if you have a skin infection, fever or contagious illness, broken skin over a large area, recent surgery, or a reaction to a patch test.

Extra care is needed if you have cuts, bruises, very sensitive skin or asthma, or have had waxing, shaving or a facial in the last 24 hours. Many therapists and insurers advise waiting until after the first trimester of pregnancy, and hormonal changes can affect how your colour develops. If you have allergies or take medication, check the ingredients and talk to your therapist first.

Aftercare for a longer lasting tan

• Avoid water, sweating and rain until your first rinse.
• Rinse with warm water only for your first shower, then pat your skin dry.
• Moisturise daily with an oil-free lotion.
• Avoid body oils, harsh scrubs, long baths, hot tubs and chlorinated pools, which all fade your tan faster.
• Exfoliate only rough areas such as elbows, knees and heels between tans.

How long does a spray tan last?

Usually five to ten days, depending on your skin and aftercare. Well hydrated skin holds colour longer, while dry skin loses it faster.

Why choose a professional spray tan?

A trained therapist chooses the right solution and depth for your skin, checks for anything that could affect your results, and applies the colour evenly. Find out more in our spray tan treatment guide.

FAQs

How do I prepare for a spray tan?

Exfoliate gently a few days before, wax or shave 24 to 48 hours before, and arrive with clean skin free from moisturiser, deodorant, perfume and make-up.

Should I shave before a spray tan?

Yes, ideally 24 to 48 hours before. Shaving straight after can remove some of your colour.

Can I wear deodorant to a spray tan?

No. Deodorant can affect how the tan develops, so apply it after your first rinse.

How long after a spray tan can I shower?

Usually 8 to 12 hours for a classic tan, or 1 to 4 hours for a rapid tan. Follow your therapist's advice.

How long should I wait before getting dressed after a spray tan?

A few minutes, until your skin is touch dry. Then wear loose, dark clothing.

How can I make my spray tan last longer?

Moisturise daily, pat dry after showering, and avoid oils, scrubs, long baths and swimming pools.